Tricia's Story

My Story began on August 22, 2011, when I went in for my annual exam. During my exam my Gyn found a lump that he thought was a Fiber Cystic Mass in my Right Breast (which most women have). I went for my 40 yr mammogram that same day and was a little nervous because nothing has ever been felt during any of my annual exams. My films were compared to my last exam in Orlando and everything came back normal. However....normal didn't feel right to me. I had mentioned to a couple girlfriends and to my best friend Cindy that I didn't think something was right. That Monday after Thanksgiving I called my Gyn for an appt....this is when My Story really begins. I was able to see him on Nov. 30. He confirmed Fiber Cysts in both breasts but the mass was even more tender than before. He told me he was pretty sure nothing was cancerous and the pain I was feeling was other cysts forming inside the cyst and the nerves that run through. We discussed having a Diagnostic Mammogram and Ultra Sound to be 100% sure that was it. I needed those for my piece of mind because I wasn't convinced. From here that's where the whirlwind began. On Monday, Dec 5, I was scheduled for the Diagnostic Mammo and Ultra Sound. I was then sent back to my Gyn for the results that same day. I remember seeing the RED DOT on my chart and reading possible malignancy. He said they have to do that so that if I left the office without any further treatment I was flagged in their system. Before he saw me he had already called a Surgeon with the Louisiana Breast Specialist office downstairs to see me and discuss options and possible biopsy. So I went downstairs. Sure enough he wanted to take a biopsy that day. I was amazed that they could do so quickly and in the office. So...we did it. The nurse held my hand and he walked me through what he was doing. It only took about 10+/-minutes. I left with an ice pack and a sore boob. Results were to come back in 2-3 days. My gut was telling me it was Cancer but I was hoping that it was just a benign cyst and we would eventually remove it. I kept hoping and praying that is what he would call and tell me but it wasn't. I received the call on December 8 at 9:26 am. I was at work in a co-workers office. I stepped out in the hallway and then he said the words you never want to hear "unfortunately the tests have come back and the tissue is cancerous." I began shaking and stepped into the conference room. I had to have him repeat the type of cancer I had three times in an attempt to try to right it down. I finally got it...Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma. I was in shock, scared, and just ran to my bosses office where she was with my safety manager who already knew I was having tests and I just broke down crying like I haven't cried since my moms funeral. She just stood and hugged me. Took me under her wing and got me back to my office and began Goggling information about my type of cancer. The Surgeon told me next steps were to come into his office and discuss treatment options and he had an appointment at 2:30 pm that day. I began calling and texting friends who knew that I was having tests done that week so that I could begin my support group. I cried so hard that day. I still cry actually. It's scary hearing those words. One of my girlfriends Theresa offered to come to the appointment that afternoon with me so I wasn't alone. I kept praying and asking God to let me be in Stage1 knowing that was early detection. When we got to the office he confirmed it was Stage 1 due to the size of the mass which is small 1.5 cm. He explained tons of stuff that day...how we want one test to be positive so we can treat it this way and one test to be normal, and we want the Genetic test to come back that I don't have the Breast Cancer Gene. They took lots of blood and are running lots of tests for my baseline and to see what treatment steps we take. Right now I am a candidate for a Lumpectomy or a Mastectomy (depending on Gene indicators could be double Mastectomy). I have a other tests and 2 oncologists to meet with ASAP. I have always loved the color hot pink and butterflies have always been my thing for years....God must have known that for some reason I have loved them for so long and they both would truly be my symbol for HOPE. I am so thankful I listened to my gut and had a friend who kept pushing me to get back into the doctor. My message now is: FEEL YOUR BOOBIES; SAVE THE TATAS; FIGHT LIKE A GIRL....I am going to beat this!!! With all your help and prayers I will be a survivor and will focus my volunteer work towards breast cancer fundraising to find a cure.